Foreign tourists drench in Holi festivity in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri/Konark, Mar 24:

The festival of colours caught the fancy of the foreign tourists holidaying in Odisha as they too joined the festivities today along with the locals.

Japanese and Russian tourists were seen enjoying the Holi festival in the backdrop of foot-tapping Indian music in the coastal towns of Puri and Konark.

They smeared gulal (dry powdered colours) on the faces and splashed wet colours at each other.

While Japanese nationals were dressed in white T-shirts with image of Lord Jagannath printed on it celebrated Holi in holy town this morning, Russian tourists embraced the Indian traditional attire sari and danced to peppy Bollywood numbers.

“Happy Holi. I wanna enjoy Holi,” an ecstatic Japanese tourist expressed.

As per the organisers in Puri, around 70 Japanese tourists participated in the event.

Special arrangements were made for the Russian tourists by a private hotel on the banks of Kushabhadra river near Konark for its guests.

Apart from playing Holi, the foreigners spread the message of world peace.

“I am draped in an Indian sari to try something new. I am in Odisha for the first time. It’s nice,” said Ana, a Russian tourist.

The organisers had installed artificial showers for rain dance. They witnessed a memorable experience and a glimpse of Indian culture and tradition.

“This is a very interesting concept of Holi as I have never seen such thing before. There are lots of colours and I am very glad to be here. The hands look so beautiful,” said Annie, another Russian tourist.